The Art of Self-Care: Exploring the Healing Benefits of Spa Services
We hear “self-care” tossed around in everyday conversation, but what does it mean? For some, it conjures images of manicures and massages. Others think of their yoga class or nightly meditation routine.
But it’s more than just those activities. It’s about knowing when and how to prioritize our needs and committing to that practice.
Relieves Stress
Stress contributes to many health issues, from weight gain and sleep problems to heart disease and anxiety. Pampering yourself with spa treatments, like a facial or mud wrap, can help relieve stress and improve your mood.
Indulging in a relaxing massage can help relieve body pains often caused by stress or overwork, such as headaches and migraines. Getting a massage has decreased the frequency of headaches and migraines in people prone to them.
A spa experience from reputable spas like Laguna Med Spa, can boost your self-esteem by helping you feel better about your physical appearance. For example, some treatments, such as a mud wrap, can help your skin look healthier and more radiant.
In addition, spas usually offer a variety of scrubs and body masks that can be used at home to replicate the same effects. Lastly, many spas have saunas and whirlpools that can promote detoxification and cleanse the body.
Relieves Aches and Pains
When you’re sick with the common cold or have been working out too hard, your body’s aches and pains can affect your quality of life. That’s why it’s important to practice self-care to relieve these aches and pains.
Hot tubs and spa treatments are effective for easing the symptoms of joint pain because they increase circulation. By dilating your blood vessels, hot tubs nourish sore and tired muscles.
Massage therapy also reduces joint pain by releasing muscle tension. If you have specific aches or pains that need attention, inform the spa’s booker when you schedule your appointment so they can consider those needs.
For instance, you may need a massage therapist with large hands so they can get all those knots out of your back. Or you may prefer a male massage therapist over a female one. Most spas will accommodate your requests if they know in advance.
Rejuvenates Skin
The skin is the human body’s largest organ, requiring regular nourishment to stay supple, young-looking, and healthy. Many spas have developed advanced treatments that promote skin health and help you look your best.
For example, facials remove dead cells, stimulate skin renewal, reduce blemishes, and help prevent fine lines and wrinkles. They also help hydrate the skin, making it feel soft. Medical spas have also developed a variety of skin rejuvenation treatments, such as laser resurfacing, which helps reduce fine lines and sun damage.
Other common spa services include hair removal and cryotherapy, exposing your body to freezing temperatures for therapeutic purposes. Be sure to inform your therapist about any sensitivities, like whether you prefer to be scrubbed down by a woman or need a man’s strong hands for back massages.
This will help them better accommodate your needs and ensure you get the most healing benefit from each treatment.
Improves Mental Health
Self-care can take many forms. It can be as simple as putting your phone on “do not disturb” mode and taking a walk outdoors or as complex as scheduling a wellness day at the spa to indulge in a facial and massage. Self-care also includes a healthy diet, sleep and exercise.
Physical health directly impacts mental health and can influence an individual’s emotional state. Those who are depressed are less likely to care for their bodies positively, like exercising and eating right.
Spa services such as massage therapy can help combat anxiety and depression by soothing the muscles and calming the mind. Other spa treatments like aromatherapy, yoga and meditation can also provide a therapeutic effect on the body and mind.
